DRC Launches EU-Funded Skills and Trade Modernisation Projects to Strengthen Lobito Corridor Integration
DRC Launches €11 Million EU-Backed Projects to Boost Skills, Digital Trade, and Lobito Corridor Development
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a significant step in its economic modernisation agenda with the official launch of two strategic projects linked to the Lobito Corridor, aimed at strengthening trade facilitation and developing human capital.
The initiatives were launched by the Minister of State in charge of Vocational Training and Trades, Marc Ekila Likombo, during a ceremony attended by European Union representatives and technical development partners.
€11 Million Investment in Skills and Trade Transformation
The two programmes are supported by a combined funding package of €11 million, mobilised by the European Union, Germany, and partner institutions. They form part of a broader effort to transform regional trade systems while enhancing the skills of Congolese economic actors.
The projects pursue two main objectives: improving the efficiency of trade along the Lobito Corridor and equipping Congolese entrepreneurs and workers with digital and technical skills aligned with modern economic demands.
Supporting Youth, Entrepreneurs, and Digital Transition
According to project implementers, nearly 10,000 beneficiaries, including young people and entrepreneurs, are expected to benefit from targeted training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and innovation support mechanisms.
A key component of the initiative is the modernisation and digitalisation of business and administrative procedures.
This is expected to reduce transaction costs, improve transparency, and accelerate cross-border trade flows along the corridor.
Partnership with GIZ and TradeMark Africa
The programmes are being implemented with technical support from GIZ (German Development Agency) and TradeMark Africa, under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure development and resilient value chains across Africa and other partner regions.
Strengthening the Lobito Corridor’s Strategic Role
Beyond their immediate economic impact, these initiatives reflect the Congolese government’s broader ambition to position the Lobito Corridor as a key logistics and trade hub for regional integration in Central and Southern Africa.
They also underscore a growing national focus on human capital development and digital transformation, which are seen as essential drivers for inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
